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What have I been doing the last fifty years?
My, my...that's one inquiry that will make a person think..think ... and think again!
Can it really be that many years ago? Sometimes it seems like only yesterday that .... I was on the football field leading cheers for the GHS Hornets.. or going to dances or doing homework... or taking exams.. or working on copy for the "Vespa" ... or talking on the phone about the latest teen scoop... or learning my lines in the Senior Play .. or planning for graduation and college. Yet...it's been fifty years since I donned that cap and gown and marched down the aisle to receive that hard-earned diploma. This only goes to prove the truth of the phrase.."Tempus fugit" which means "time flies".. and that it does, my friends.
Since high school, I've been learning... struggling..growing..while attending college, seminary, graduate schools and then while working in a variety of schools, hospitals and churches.
I've met many wonderful and interesting individuals in the places I've lived...sometimes on the job... othertimes during worship and fellowship... and even in the halls and rooms of hospitals. I've taught and counseled with countless children and young people from all types of backgrounds..I've studied and prayed and cried and laughed...I've buried my parents and several close friends, as well as a number of precious pets.
I've been well and hearty, young and foolish,
on the mountain top and in the valley, sick..
weak.... fearful and brave...you name it...I've been there at some point in these last fifty years.
Yet, through every day of that time span, the One constantly beside me has been God's Holy Spirit... loving me when I was unloveable...waiting for me when I was resistant or reluctant or rebellious... encouraging me when I was hesitant...comforting me when I was sad..and all the time...gently, yet firmly leading me along the Path of Righteousness.
I've been many places, known lots of people, participated in a myraid of different experiences, events and relationships. Each place, each individual, each experience, each event, each relationship has been used by God to bring me nearer to Himself.
Now...He has my full attention...it's high time, don't you agree?
(A capsule of my career: four degrees from four different institutions, on staff in nine schools..5 elem., 1 middle, 3 high ... served under 15 different principals .. lived in MS, NY, GA, LA..worked in 3 churches, 2 hospitals and 1 nursing home. I first taught P.E. ...then Christian Education....later I became a Counselor and lastly I did Pastoral Visitation. Now I am retired and have become quite happy doing nothing!)
I've been back in MS since 1994 and enjoy living in Kosciusko. I spend my days reading, writing, working crosswords, watching tv, visiting with friends and family and enjoying my adopted dog, "Lady". She and I often "hit the road" and go spend time with my brother, Bill either in Greenville or in Oxford. Life is good!
The year is 2014 and I continue to enjoy life as a retired free spirit in beautiful Kosciusko, Mississippi. In September, 2012 I experienced the wonder of having my book, "Glimpses of Glory" published by WestBow Press.
The whole process was a very challenging and rewarding adventure.
In May of this year my grand nephew, Aaron Ruston Keady graduated from
Flint River Academy in Woodbury, GA. He is now a freshman at West Georgia University in Carrollton, GA. Bill (Aaron's grandfather) and I are very proud of the fine young man he has become.
I continue to spend my days filled with gratitude for God's gracious goodness to me. I still write, read, enjoy friends and family, watch my favorite television shows, laugh unrestrained at my dog, Nick's antics and benefit from a myriad of opportunities given me as a Christian to love others in His Precious Name.
I send warm greetings to any who may read this update. I hope you are well and life is good fro you.